Out of your hands. Can't drive faster. I'm also fine by the way. But let me ask her so I don't guess and make it seem worse than it is. [Which he does in a mumble, sounds of him also shifting in the bed muffle the question and the answer but once he stops fussing around,]
103. I'm fine. [If he keeps saying it it'll make it true.] You know you could pick up your car in the suit and just fly home with it.
I can fill a bathtub with ice and it'd be the same remedy I'd get at a hospital, I think. No point with the tylenol right now. It'll just come back up. This is what I get for saying I have stuff to do. Everyone knows you can't invoke I can't get sick right now when you actually don't have time to be sick.
Well I'm not right now- working. But I'd like to be.
[He hums out a little dazed noise.] Oh, but I bet your bedside manner is impeccable. Just gotta be careful. Or you'll catch the Florence Nightingale effect.
[And very well may be the reason he's not facedown on a lab table somewhere. Because really being sick is a waste of time and he has things he needs to finish.]
I worry. Because you better not have abandoned your car after telling me I couldn't send you a suit because you'd end up abandoning your car.
Had to get it somewhere to park it. It's in a garage. I'm billing you for it.
[ And yes, he's just going to run through Manhattan because the traffic is so bad. He's much faster this way, since he's not limited by all the other cars. ]
I can see the building now. You're up in the penthouse, right?
I guess I was gonna end up paying one way or the other. Don't spook anyone. I didn't used to think New Yorkers would care but then a lot of stuff has happened and when guys that look like Captain America are sprinting around the city they tend to get nervous.
[His rambling is not improving. But really this might not be so different from his usual hyper-verbal manic moments. Just a little less together.]
Yes. Punished. Sequestered. Quarantined. Other words for locked up etcetera, etcetera.
[He sets a very unfocused gaze up Steve's way, practically sunk into a ludicrous amount of pillows and covers on the bed.]
You look worse than I do. You really didn't have to run. I'm fine. [He reaches, taking a hold of that towel and then plonks it down on his forehead, just holding it there, eyes closing.] Fever'll probably break in a couple hours. You should drink some water. I don't know who keeps the fridge stocked around here but there's a lot in there.
[ But first, he goes over and presses a kiss to Tony's cheek. ]
Do you want some too? Or juice? I could probably make you a smoothie.
[ He should've thought about that, but he just grabbed the first thing at the bodega. He does pour them two glasses of water, and comes over to give some to Tony. ]
[Tony breathes out a long, soft, and perhaps over-dramatic noise at that little kiss. When Steve starts asking him questions about food- liquids- whatever- he makes a face and shakes his head.]
No. Nothing. I can't- the thought of trying to keep anything down makes me nauseous. [Which is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Not that he thinks there's much to do about any of it.] Really. You should just go home. Before you realize how much you don't wanna put up with me right now.
[It's a little dramatic, the way he jerks his arm forward to rest atop the towel over his eyes. And maybe bratty, too, the way he shakes his head and in a frustrated exhale simply says:]
No.
[He makes an attempt at wetting his lips, but his mouth is dry, which should prompt a backtrack and an ask for water but he just can't fathom it right now.]
No- I'm- I just need to lie here and sweat it out. [That's really the exact opposite of what he needs but damned if he's going to fix it right this second when every part of him feels awful.]
So, you should drink something. It's not gonna kill you.
[ But he knows Tony's being petulant because he's a big baby when he's sick, and that's precisely why he wanted to send Steve away. But Steve refuses to move, kneeling on the floor by the couch Tony's lying on. ]
[Yes. Petulant indeed. His arm lets down from his eyes, hand clutching that towel Steve had brought in with him and he turns his head slightly, casting a long gaze at him now that he's closer.]
You think you can come in here with those big blue eyes and that soft stern voice and just boss me around. [He's only mostly kidding. And maybe a little delirious.] Fine. For you I'll drink water. But when it comes back up you should be required to do whatever the equivalent of holding my hair back is.
Yeah- the usual finance-soon-to-be-husband duties. [Not that Tony's used to someone being around to take care of him like this. Which is mostly his fault. He knows how he gets but more than that he doesn't like being seen like this. But... it is a nice thought. He's lucky, really, that he's got someone as stubborn as he is.
One hand on the back of the couch, he tries to sit up a bit so he can do what Steve's asking him to. And he listens, too. Taking small sips helps at least abate the queasiness he's been feeling. He ends up slowly drinking maybe a quarter before holding the bottle away.]
It's just a stomach bug. [Who he's trying to convince by saying this who knows. Maybe a little bit more himself than Steve.] Probably one of those interns that stopped by earlier in the day. It'll-
[He takes a long deep breath and then eases back down, feeling the room shift around him.] I'll be fine. By tomorrow. [He knows he looks every bit the mess he is right now. He hadn't even managed to get all the way out of his clothes, sleeves rolled up, tie halfway undone, shirt still hanging on by two buttons near his waist, belt unbuckled, pants unbuttoned and unzipped. He can't even remember where he threw his suit jacket or kicked off his shoes.
He directs a bleary eyed gaze up Steve's way and tries a grin.] You don't have to play nurse all night. If you have a hot date or something. Don't let me keep you.
I'm all out of hot dates, my usual guy's laid up sick.
[ Once Tony lies back down, Steve gets up to go get him his nice robe and comes over to help him out of his clothes. He looks a mess, but he's Steve's mess. ]
Which is a shame, but that's okay, because I love him and I want what's best for him.
[ Despite his big frame and his large hands, he's very deft, extremely gentle. He'd never want to make a wrong move with him out of carelessness, even though he knows Tony doesn't care to be hurt in a physical sense. ]
And we can always go out on our hot date tomorrow, me and my fella.
I ever tell you how he's the light of my life? Can't stand to be without him, not even for a minute. He's a handful, and real stubborn. But he's worth the whole world put together, for me. So whenever he thinks he's not even worth a night of my time, I really gotta dig deep to remind myself that he's a genius.
[Tony very suddenly finds himself trapped and not sure what to do. He starts out by grumbling, wordless noises of dissatisfaction when Steve's got him moving around. He just wants to lie on the couch, space out, feel terrible, and then it'll all be over by tomorrow. Hopefully. That's what he's telling himself anyway. He doesn't need to be taken care of-
Even if it is nice.
But his grumbling is waylaid by the fact that Steve is... well. He's being very Steve. And very soon his bratty moaning is paired with a grin he's trying to hide but can't.
Once he's out of his clothes and into that robe and laid back against the couch again he shakes his head.]
You and your fella... who told you you could just come up here and boss me around and be cute? [Because that's what it is. That's what Steve is. Endlessly endearing. But very quickly he changes his tune, reaching out to put a heavy hand along Steve's chest. Resting it there against the beat of his heart.]
He sounds like a pain in the ass. You sure he's worth all that? Can't I steal you away instead? I'll probably be better by tomorrow. I could take you out.
[ Loathe to leave when Tony's pressing a hand to his chest, but now that he's not clothing him anymore, he should do something useful. So he takes a seat at the edge of the couch, moves Tony's legs into his lap, and makes good on that threat of rubbing his feet. ]
You know, when I first enlisted, I got rejected four times. Just kept doing it, 'cause I knew I wanted to serve. Everybody was laying their lives down because it was the right thing to do, and I knew that was it for me.
[ He keeps working away at Tony's feet, but he's gentler than he normally would be. ]
My fella's a real kick in the shins sometimes, but I've never been more sure of anything else in my life.
[There's a warm thrum that he's placing with the fact that he's still floored he gets to marry Steve. That everything is falling into place after seeming like it had been over (regardless of whose fault that was, even when he knows it was his). That he gets to have that, have Steve. It draws another hum out of him, as Steve settles and he melts back into the couch a little with that massage.
Easier to do, too, when Steve's just talking to him. He's always been incredibly fond of Steve's voice. There's something to the low, smooth cadence that sets him at ease. Or riles him right up a wall, depends on what they're doing. Right now it's extremely appreciated.]
Sounds like an incredibly lucky guy. Being a giant pain in the ass but you love him anyway. What's he holding over you?
[He's not really expecting a real answer, he's not fishing. But it's just a nice little distraction from all the other terrible things swirling about in his body. And while the foot massage is nice, apparently it's not quite what he's looking for. Because he pulls away from Steve just so that he can reorient himself on the couch, laying his head in Steve's lap then.]
You even come- literally- running when he's in trouble. Even when he tells you not to. I could use a guy like that.
[ It's the little things, he thinks. The massage, the gentle words. Tony had warned he'd be a nightmare but overall, he's not so bad. Definitely not worse than he normally is, at the moment.
And if he thinks that Steve would shy away from a little heaving and cleaning up after Tony hawks up whatever's left in his stomach, then, he's got another think coming. Steve had spent most of his childhood sick and in and out of the hospital. Those kinds of things don't even register to him.
Regardless, even if it were a chore, it's all right. He's just happy to spend time together. They've lost so much of it. ]
Well, he loves me too. In the best ways. Protects me, cares for me. Levels with me when I need it. Supports me.
He's building me a house, too. For us to grow old in.
[ He smiles down at Tony, and then says: ]
I love you.
[ He can't even pretend to say no to Tony while pretending he's different than his fiance. ]
[He wants to stay here. Curl up into a ball in Steve's lap and just let a few more hours pass by until he feels settled. Just enough to get up and reorient himself. So much time is being wasted right now. Steve's because he came running, his because he has work to do.]
I love you. And I wanna stay here. But you're so warm.
[Which is usually not a problem. He loves that about Steve, especially if it's cold and they're wrapped up in each other. But it feels like an overage. Damp from sweat still and achy with chills. Steve's usually warmth is good and it's bad. Even so, he still doesn't move. His eyes close for a moment.]
Better for you, anyway. Wouldn't want you to get stuck here while I doze off on you.
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103. I'm fine. [If he keeps saying it it'll make it true.] You know you could pick up your car in the suit and just fly home with it.
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[ And if not, he's absolutely calling someone on speed dial. He might even have to call Pepper. ]
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I will sponge you down later, if you want. I'm not as good of a nurse as my momma was, but I do have a lot of experience being on your end.
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[He hums out a little dazed noise.] Oh, but I bet your bedside manner is impeccable. Just gotta be careful. Or you'll catch the Florence Nightingale effect.
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And no, you're not working until the fever gives out. FRIDAY, do you hear that?
[ He knows FRIDAY doesn't take orders from him, but it's worth a shot. And despite being artificial, she knows when she has to take care of Tony. ]
If I sound out of breath, don't worry about it.
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[And very well may be the reason he's not facedown on a lab table somewhere. Because really being sick is a waste of time and he has things he needs to finish.]
I worry. Because you better not have abandoned your car after telling me I couldn't send you a suit because you'd end up abandoning your car.
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[ And yes, he's just going to run through Manhattan because the traffic is so bad. He's much faster this way, since he's not limited by all the other cars. ]
I can see the building now. You're up in the penthouse, right?
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[His rambling is not improving. But really this might not be so different from his usual hyper-verbal manic moments. Just a little less together.]
Yes. Punished. Sequestered. Quarantined. Other words for locked up etcetera, etcetera.
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At least I can stop to explain to everyone it's a personal matter.
[ He's up there in the next two minutes, with orange juice, and a moist towel. He's only slightly sweaty. ]
...Hey.
[ He makes his way over, offering these to Tony. ]
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You look worse than I do. You really didn't have to run. I'm fine. [He reaches, taking a hold of that towel and then plonks it down on his forehead, just holding it there, eyes closing.] Fever'll probably break in a couple hours. You should drink some water. I don't know who keeps the fridge stocked around here but there's a lot in there.
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[ But first, he goes over and presses a kiss to Tony's cheek. ]
Do you want some too? Or juice? I could probably make you a smoothie.
[ He should've thought about that, but he just grabbed the first thing at the bodega. He does pour them two glasses of water, and comes over to give some to Tony. ]
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No. Nothing. I can't- the thought of trying to keep anything down makes me nauseous. [Which is a self-fulfilling prophecy. Not that he thinks there's much to do about any of it.] Really. You should just go home. Before you realize how much you don't wanna put up with me right now.
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[ He pushes the water gently at him again. ]
Want me to bathe you? Might cool you down. I can get a cloth and a bowl, do it right here. We wouldn't have to move you.
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No.
[He makes an attempt at wetting his lips, but his mouth is dry, which should prompt a backtrack and an ask for water but he just can't fathom it right now.]
No- I'm- I just need to lie here and sweat it out. [That's really the exact opposite of what he needs but damned if he's going to fix it right this second when every part of him feels awful.]
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So, you should drink something. It's not gonna kill you.
[ But he knows Tony's being petulant because he's a big baby when he's sick, and that's precisely why he wanted to send Steve away. But Steve refuses to move, kneeling on the floor by the couch Tony's lying on. ]
For me?
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[Yes. Petulant indeed. His arm lets down from his eyes, hand clutching that towel Steve had brought in with him and he turns his head slightly, casting a long gaze at him now that he's closer.]
You think you can come in here with those big blue eyes and that soft stern voice and just boss me around. [He's only mostly kidding. And maybe a little delirious.] Fine. For you I'll drink water. But when it comes back up you should be required to do whatever the equivalent of holding my hair back is.
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[ He thinks he can maybe convince Tony to keep some water down. Otherwise, they're going to have lots of problems later. ]
Take sips, I don't know why but it helps.
[ He'll even feed it to Tony, if he wants. He gently kisses Tony's hair, softly brushing it back and away from his face. ]
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One hand on the back of the couch, he tries to sit up a bit so he can do what Steve's asking him to. And he listens, too. Taking small sips helps at least abate the queasiness he's been feeling. He ends up slowly drinking maybe a quarter before holding the bottle away.]
It's just a stomach bug. [Who he's trying to convince by saying this who knows. Maybe a little bit more himself than Steve.] Probably one of those interns that stopped by earlier in the day. It'll-
[He takes a long deep breath and then eases back down, feeling the room shift around him.] I'll be fine. By tomorrow. [He knows he looks every bit the mess he is right now. He hadn't even managed to get all the way out of his clothes, sleeves rolled up, tie halfway undone, shirt still hanging on by two buttons near his waist, belt unbuckled, pants unbuttoned and unzipped. He can't even remember where he threw his suit jacket or kicked off his shoes.
He directs a bleary eyed gaze up Steve's way and tries a grin.] You don't have to play nurse all night. If you have a hot date or something. Don't let me keep you.
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[ Once Tony lies back down, Steve gets up to go get him his nice robe and comes over to help him out of his clothes. He looks a mess, but he's Steve's mess. ]
Which is a shame, but that's okay, because I love him and I want what's best for him.
[ Despite his big frame and his large hands, he's very deft, extremely gentle. He'd never want to make a wrong move with him out of carelessness, even though he knows Tony doesn't care to be hurt in a physical sense. ]
And we can always go out on our hot date tomorrow, me and my fella.
I ever tell you how he's the light of my life? Can't stand to be without him, not even for a minute. He's a handful, and real stubborn. But he's worth the whole world put together, for me. So whenever he thinks he's not even worth a night of my time, I really gotta dig deep to remind myself that he's a genius.
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Even if it is nice.
But his grumbling is waylaid by the fact that Steve is... well. He's being very Steve. And very soon his bratty moaning is paired with a grin he's trying to hide but can't.
Once he's out of his clothes and into that robe and laid back against the couch again he shakes his head.]
You and your fella... who told you you could just come up here and boss me around and be cute? [Because that's what it is. That's what Steve is. Endlessly endearing. But very quickly he changes his tune, reaching out to put a heavy hand along Steve's chest. Resting it there against the beat of his heart.]
He sounds like a pain in the ass. You sure he's worth all that? Can't I steal you away instead? I'll probably be better by tomorrow. I could take you out.
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[ Loathe to leave when Tony's pressing a hand to his chest, but now that he's not clothing him anymore, he should do something useful. So he takes a seat at the edge of the couch, moves Tony's legs into his lap, and makes good on that threat of rubbing his feet. ]
You know, when I first enlisted, I got rejected four times. Just kept doing it, 'cause I knew I wanted to serve. Everybody was laying their lives down because it was the right thing to do, and I knew that was it for me.
[ He keeps working away at Tony's feet, but he's gentler than he normally would be. ]
My fella's a real kick in the shins sometimes, but I've never been more sure of anything else in my life.
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Easier to do, too, when Steve's just talking to him. He's always been incredibly fond of Steve's voice. There's something to the low, smooth cadence that sets him at ease. Or riles him right up a wall, depends on what they're doing. Right now it's extremely appreciated.]
Sounds like an incredibly lucky guy. Being a giant pain in the ass but you love him anyway. What's he holding over you?
[He's not really expecting a real answer, he's not fishing. But it's just a nice little distraction from all the other terrible things swirling about in his body. And while the foot massage is nice, apparently it's not quite what he's looking for. Because he pulls away from Steve just so that he can reorient himself on the couch, laying his head in Steve's lap then.]
You even come- literally- running when he's in trouble. Even when he tells you not to. I could use a guy like that.
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And if he thinks that Steve would shy away from a little heaving and cleaning up after Tony hawks up whatever's left in his stomach, then, he's got another think coming. Steve had spent most of his childhood sick and in and out of the hospital. Those kinds of things don't even register to him.
Regardless, even if it were a chore, it's all right. He's just happy to spend time together. They've lost so much of it. ]
Well, he loves me too. In the best ways. Protects me, cares for me. Levels with me when I need it. Supports me.
He's building me a house, too. For us to grow old in.
[ He smiles down at Tony, and then says: ]
I love you.
[ He can't even pretend to say no to Tony while pretending he's different than his fiance. ]
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[He wants to stay here. Curl up into a ball in Steve's lap and just let a few more hours pass by until he feels settled. Just enough to get up and reorient himself. So much time is being wasted right now. Steve's because he came running, his because he has work to do.]
I love you. And I wanna stay here. But you're so warm.
[Which is usually not a problem. He loves that about Steve, especially if it's cold and they're wrapped up in each other. But it feels like an overage. Damp from sweat still and achy with chills. Steve's usually warmth is good and it's bad. Even so, he still doesn't move. His eyes close for a moment.]
Better for you, anyway. Wouldn't want you to get stuck here while I doze off on you.
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